The Black Cherry cherry tomato grows and tastes like an heirloom tomato but it’s not. It is defined as an open-pollinated, “heirloom-type variety” that was introduced to the world of tomato lovers in 2003 by Vince Sapp of Tomato Growers Supply Company. It was developed to combine the complex smoky/umami/sweet flavor found almost universally in black tomatoes with the productivity of a cherry variety. While its specific parentage isn’t known, it is believed to be a natural selection, with seeds originating from David Pendergrass of Middle TN.
Black Cherry tomatoes grow on robust plants that can reach up 8 ft tall. They produce clusters of round mahogany medium-sized cherry tomatoes. The flavor combines the rich sweetness you think of in a sweet cherry tomato with the smoky-umami flavor of a black tomato making them a sophisticated tray addition to a summer salad or a tray of cocktail tomatoes. I skewered this tomato with an assortment of other cherry tomatoes on tooth picks with fresh Italian basil and mozzarella cheese. With a drizzle of balsamic glaze they were a hit as a baby shower appetizer.
